Tom Hanks accepted role of church minister TV star because it offered a positive alternative to cynicism

The critics have praised Hanks' portrayal of the mild-mannered Mr Rogers in the movie, which had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on Saturday ahead of its US debut on Thanksgiving.

Mr Rogers, who died in 2003, was a Presbyterian church minister who entertained generations of American children with his TV show, Mister Roger's Neighborhood.

Speaking to reporters about why the role appealed to him, Hanks said: "Cynicism has become the default position for so much of daily structure and daily intercourse. ...and we have become so inured to that, that when we are met with as simple a message as 'Hey you know what, it's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood!' we get slapped a little bit. We are allowed, I think, to feel good. There's a place for cynicism, but why begin with it right off the bat?"